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« on: Apr 29th, 2015, 4:07am » |
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Jan Laco did everything he could. The unheralded Slovakian goaltender turned aside everything he saw. A Kontintenal Hockey League backup, he looked fearless in the face of the Russians high-powered offence. But his teammates couldnt solve Russian counterpart Semyon Varlamov. Alexander Radulov and Ilya Kovalchuk scored the only shootout goals after a scoreless deadlock, Varlamov provided 27 saves and Team Russia edged Slovakia 1-0 in Group A action on Sunday in the 2014 Sochi Olympics at Bolshoy Ice Dome. "Thats every game here. Its very intense," Kovalchuk said. "Even if you play against Slovenia or the USA, or today against Slovakia, it doesnt matter. We couldnt find a way how to score, but we found a way to win." With one win, one overtime win and one overtime loss in the preliminary round, Russia will have to play a qualifying elimination game against Norway to reach the quarter-finals. Slovakia (0-3) finished last in its group with one point. Laco, getting the call in place of star St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak, was brilliant in stopping 36 Russian shots – the only blemishes being in the shootout. Alex Ovechkin thought he had an open net to end the game in overtime, but the Capitals forward was blocked on a spectacular sprawling stop by Slovakian defender Andrej Meszaros, who came to the aid of the 32-year-old Slovakian goalie. "It mattered to us," Meszaros said. "We wanted to prove to ourselves we could play better hockey than we showed in the first two games. I think we showed everybody that we can play with anybody." The home side re-established its momentum in the third period by outshooting the Slovaks 15-2 and drawing four straight penalties, failing to convert on any of them. The Russians, fresh off a thrilling 3-2 shootout loss to the Americans, appeared to have finally solved Laco in the third on a power play, off a deflected point shot by Yevgeni Medvedev. The puck beat the Slovakian netminder, but caromed off the crossbar and post to stay out of the net. The early half of the second period featured a defensive battle, with both sides smothering one another and not allowing many chances. Russia couldnt convert on either of its power-play opportunities of the frame, but the pace picked up significantly in the latter half of the period. Laco looked calm as can be in fending off the Russian attack. His glove side was seemingly unbeatable at times and he was able to spot the puck through traffic to make some difficult stops. One of his best came early in the second period on Pittsburgh Penguins sniper Evgeni Malkin, who had a great chance taken away by Lacos acrobatics. Not many goalies can say this, but Laco seemed to have Malkins number in this tilt. Known for having one of the quickest snap shots in the NHL, Malkin recovered a loose puck late in the period, turned and fired. Laco was quicker. He calmly turned aside the chance to keep things scoreless. But Varlamov was not to be outdone. He was lightning fast and sharp in denying chance after chance by the Slovaks. The Russians had a scare involving one of their top snipers Ilya Kovalchuk. At 9:17 of the second period, the former New Jersey Devil got tangled up with Richard Panik, went down awkwardly and appeared to be favouring his leg or ankle. He left the game but would later return. Slovakia lost the bronze-medal match to Finland in 2010 while the Russians finished a disappointing sixth. Russia is trying to duplicate what Canada was able to do four years ago in winning Olympic gold on home soil. http://www.airmaxgronline.com/nike-air-max-90.html . This week they discuss the decision to stop the NFL concussion settlement, the medias indifference to a big boxing match in Montreal, the maturity of Anthony Bennett and NHL outdoor games. http://www.airmaxgronline.com/nike-air-max-thea.html . Lowry joined TSN 1050 on Monday to discuss his personal growth, what was going through his mind on his final second drive and whether his future plans include staying in Toronto. “That last play will be my summertime grind,” Lowry said of his final shot which was blocked by Paul Pierce in the lane as time expired. http://www.airmaxgronline.com/nike-air-max-2015/nike-air-max-2015.html. Taylor Hall had a hat trick and rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had five assists, and the Oilers snapped a four-game losing skid in a big way with a 9-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. Nike Air Max 90 Hyperfuse . Teague one handed three pointerTheres something to be said about having the nerve to go up and take a shot from downtown late in a close playoff game, but what is there really to say when that shot is one handed? Teague answers that question with a simple Jordan like shrug of the shoulders. http://www.airmaxgronline.com/nike-air-max-90/nike-air-max-90-hyperfuse. html . It offers no assurances and doesnt apply any context, like, for example, taking injuries into account. Last year, this method forecasted the first round at a 7-1 clip; this year it was 5-3, with losses on Columbus, Colorado and San Jose. All-Star closer Joe Nathan became a free agent Friday after declining a $9 million contract option in his deal with the Texas Rangers. After the Rangers exercised their portion of a mutual option, Nathan opted out of the deal, as expected. The right-hander wants at least a two-year agreement, which the Rangers dont plan to offer. "My expectation is that there are other teams that maybe have a bigger need in the bullpen and will put in more resources than we are," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We have some other areas that are a higher priority for us to address." Because he finished more than 55 games this season, Nathan was able to opt out of the deal. By declining the option, Nathan gave up a $750,000 buyout. Nathan, who turns 39 later this month, had 80 saves over two All-Star seasons in Texas. He was 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 43 saves this year. Daniels said the Rangers feel their bullpen in an area of strength and depth. He expects the next closer to come from within the organization, though he said a decision on who that will be likely wont be made until the Rangers get to spring training in Arizona. "We have a number of guys internally that have done that for us before," Daniels said. Texas still has two former All-Star closers on their roster, though Joakim Soria and Neftali Feliz both had ligament replacement surgery in 2012. Feliz was a closer before moving into the Rangers rotation in 2012, then getting hurt. Soria missed the enttire 2012 season for Kansas City before signing a two-year deal with Texas, and going 1-0 with a 3.dddddddddddd80 ERA in 26 appearances this season after coming up in July. Felix is still rehabbing with the expectation to be in the bullpen next season. Tanner Scheppers was 6-2 with a 1.88 ERA in primarily an eighth-inning role this season. Alexi Ogando is another closer option, though Daniels indicated that its likely the right-hander would remain in the rotation rather than returning to the bullpen. Nathan missed the 2010 season with Minnesota following his own Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. In his return in 2011, he lost his job as closer early in the season before reclaiming it later and pitching well in the second half, saving 11 games and holding opposing batters to a .207 average. The Rangers signed him early that off-season, after their second consecutive World Series, a move that allowed them to move Felix into the rotation. "Joes been outstanding for us on and off the field," Daniels said. "Hes been as advertised." NOTES: Bobby Jones, the Rangers Triple-A manager the last three seasons, will be part of the major league coaching staff next season. Daniels said he wasnt sure yet if Jones would fill the vacant first-base coaching job of be the seventh coach on the staff. Jones has spent 26 seasons as a coach or manager in the organization, including stints on the Texas coaching staff under Johnny Oates (2000-01) and Buck Showalter (2006). cheap jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '[center][/center]
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